This volume deals with the general theory of pleasure of Plato and his successors.
The first part describes the two paradigms between which all theories of pleasure oscillate: Plato's definition of pleasure as the repletion of a lack, and Aristotle's view that pleasure is the perfect performance of an activity. After an excursus on Epicureans and Stoics, the book concentrates on Neoplatonism, opposing the 'standard Neoplatonic view' of Plotinus and Proclus to the original viewpoint of Damascius' commentary on Plato's Philebus.
The volume sheds light on the discussion between hedonists and anti-hedonists, by concentrating on the 'crucial point' at which any philosophical analysis of the good life (hedonistic or other) ought to argue that the life of the philosopher is the most desirable, and thus truly pleasurable, life.
- ISBN10 9004117970
- ISBN13 9789004117976
- Publish Date 31 May 2000
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country NL
- Imprint Brill
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 214
- Language English
- URL brill.com/product_id9295